\(M\)-free Abelian groups. (Q1415002)

An Abelian group \(A\) is \(M\)-free with basis \(X\) if \(X\) is a subset of \(A\) such that every map from \(X\) to the Abelian group \(M\) extends uniquely to a homomorphism from \(A\) to \(M\). Examples are split-\(M\)-free groups which are direct sums of the free group with basis \(X\) and a group which has only the zero homomorphism into \(M\). The authors' main theorem is that if \(M\) is slender and countable and its endomorphism group is free then all \(M\)-free groups are split-\(M\)-free. Also, if \(M\) is slender and the centre of its endomorphism ring is a free group then every \(M\)-free group with basis smaller than the first measurable cardinal (if it exists) is split-\(M\)-free. They also prove that in many cases \(M\)-free groups have invariant rank, i.e.~all the bases have the same cardinality. During the proof, the authors make a systematic study of \(M\)-free groups. Some auxiliary results they obtain: the characterization of \(M\)-free groups with a singleton base as subgroups of the centre of the endomorphism ring of \(M\) and the base consists of the identity. Every \(M\)-free group with base smaller than the first measurable cardinal is a subgroup of direct sums of \(M\)-free groups with singleton base.